Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Check out the overall project at the link above, or see the directions to build the acceleration sensor shown here in Log #1. It's a great way to start a conversation with students about acceleration, gravity, constant-velocity motion, and more.

Our Hacker Calculus project aims to create a structured set of modules consisting of hands-on 3D
printing and electronics projects, with thorough text documentation and
minimal supporting algebra. These modules will teach calculus in this
hacker style both for self-learners and others, like the visually
impaired, who need hands-on learning.

When Isaac Newton developed
calculus in the 1600s, he was trying to tie together math and physics in
an intuitive, geometrical way. But over time math and physics teaching
became heavily weighted toward algebra, and less toward geometrical
problem-solving. However, many practicing mathematicians and physicists
will get their intuition geometrically first and do the algebra later.
We want to let people get to that point directly without passing through
(much) algebra, particularly people who learn best by making something.

About Me

Ms. Horvath is the co-founder (with Rich "Whosawhatsis" Cameron) of Nonscriptum LLC, a consulting firm with a specialty in helping businesses and educators understand the strategic use of 3D printing. She also has an appointment as Core Adjunct faculty for National University’s College of Letters and Sciences. She has taught at the university level in a variety of institutions both in Southern California and online. Prior to that, she spent sixteen years at the NASA/Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she worked in programs including the technology transfer office, the Magellan spacecraft to Venus and the TOPEX/Poseidon oceanography spacecraft.
She holds an undergraduate degree from MIT in Aeronautics and Astronautics, and an engineering Master’s degree from UCLA.
Linked In profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joanhorvathpasadena
Our books from Apress:
Mastering 3D Printing (2014)
The New Shop Class: Getting Started with 3D Printing, Arduino and Wearable Tech (2015) and 3D Printing With MatterControl (2015).
Contact us at whttp://www.nonscriptum.com/contact/